Best self defense ammunition? - The Firearms Forum

dark_falcon27 · 06-15-2009, 12:08 PM

I have 2 small boxes of Speer Gold Dots. Any reviews on those? Also heard that Remington's Golden Sabers were good.

Pistolenschutze · 06-15-2009, 12:28 PM

The Speer Gold Dot design is considered one of the best out there, falcon. It's the duty round for many police departments whatever the caliber. I carry them in several of my CCW weapons, particularly my .38 snubbies. Their 135 grain Gold Dot +P was especially designed to function and expand properly out of a 2" barreled snubbie.

sakeneko · 06-15-2009, 01:09 PM

Dark Falcon, I use Speer Gold Dots (.38 +P) as my main SD carry ammunition. It's apparently widely considered the safe best choice for snubbies, was developed in collaboration with PD departments and is widely used by them. It isn't cheap, but unless you're an expert reloader or know a lot more about ammunition than most, it's probably one of the best choices you could make.

dark_falcon27 · 06-15-2009, 01:09 PM

Outstanding. Thanks for the insight

dark_falcon27 · 06-15-2009, 04:45 PM

Also, i found a page telling how badass Gold Dots actually are. They handily outperformed the hydo-shocks by Federal IMHO.I lost the link though. Oops

HalfBreed · 06-16-2009, 08:01 PM

Different strokes for different folks, my wife and I both carry winchester silver tip hollow points and have for years. One of my long time friends carries the 38+P Gold Dots and swears by them. Just my .02 worth

bcj1755 · 06-16-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dark_falcon27

Also, i found a page telling how badass Gold Dots actually are. They handily outperformed the hydo-shocks by Federal IMHO.

I really like the Federal HydraShok in 124gr 9mm. My Walther loves them too. I went with the HydraShok after asking some local LEOs what their departments use. Most PDs around here use the HydraShok in various calibers. The most important thing with any ammo is how well it performs in your PDW, and if you can hit your target with it.

Ammo Sphere · 06-16-2009, 10:51 PM

I think everyone is going to have a different opinion on this one. For me I got with what the police use and that's Winchester Ranger Ammo LE. It's tested several times before they leave the factory, extremely reliable.

bntyhntr6975 · 06-17-2009, 08:16 PM

My personal choices are the Hyda-shoks for my .45. (NOT in .40S&W in a Glock or XD!) For my 9mms I carry Black Talons and Ranger (XTPs?). Speer Gold Dots and Cor-Bons both gave very umimpressive results on the various tests I've done. Granted, no human targets have been used yet....

LurpyGeek · 06-17-2009, 08:22 PM

Hydrashocks are a good design, but they are a bit outdated. The new version from Federal called the "HST" is a much better design. Look up some reviews.

Mistahman · 06-19-2009, 06:06 PM

HST's #1
Ranger Talons #2
The HST's are a modern Hydra-Shok & The Ranger Talons a modern Black Talon! I believe either will surfice! Just a matter of preference (which company u like).

dark_falcon27 · 06-23-2009, 01:18 PM

A new round that has caught my eye is the Federal Premium Self Defense Round. Maybe ideal for those who live in apts. since it is known for energy transfer and not penetration.

carver · 06-23-2009, 01:24 PM

Right now I'm loaded up with corbon +p's, but my first choice is Hornady's XTP HP's. I load them for hunting, and they are made to expand at most velocities from a hand gun. If they kill deer with one well placed shot, why not other critters?

bobkreeger · 07-04-2009, 10:14 AM

Take a look at Buffalo Bore Ammo. There stuff is really awsome, I tried there .380, .357 & .41 mag in water and wet newspaper and was very impressed.

dark_falcon27 · 07-04-2009, 10:50 AM

Found the link to the Gold Dot Test:

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs9.htm

06-15-2009, 01:09 PM	#3
sakeneko V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Nevada Posts: 83	Re: Best self defense ammunition? Dark Falcon, I use Speer Gold Dots (.38 +P) as my main SD carry ammunition. It's apparently widely considered the safe best choice for snubbies, was developed in collaboration with PD departments and is widely used by them. It isn't cheap, but unless you're an expert reloader or know a lot more about ammunition than most, it's probably one of the best choices you could make.

06-15-2009, 01:09 PM	#4
dark_falcon27 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Auburn, Al Posts: 90	Re: Best self defense ammunition? Outstanding. Thanks for the insight __________________ "He who stays on the defensive does not make war, he endures it" "...Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle" Psalm 144:1

06-15-2009, 04:45 PM	#5
dark_falcon27 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Auburn, Al Posts: 90	Re: Best self defense ammunition? Also, i found a page telling how badass Gold Dots actually are. They handily outperformed the hydo-shocks by Federal IMHO.I lost the link though. Oops __________________ "He who stays on the defensive does not make war, he endures it" "...Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle" Psalm 144:1 Last edited by dark_falcon27; 06-23-2009 at 01:14 PM..

06-16-2009, 08:01 PM	#6
HalfBreed Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Southwest Ga. Posts: 16	Re: Best self defense ammunition? Different strokes for different folks, my wife and I both carry winchester silver tip hollow points and have for years. One of my long time friends carries the 38+P Gold Dots and swears by them. Just my .02 worth

06-16-2009, 10:51 PM	#8
Ammo Sphere Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Best self defense ammunition? I think everyone is going to have a different opinion on this one. For me I got with what the police use and that's Winchester Ranger Ammo LE. It's tested several times before they leave the factory, extremely reliable. __________________ http://www.ammosphere.com

06-15-2009, 12:08 PM	#1
dark_falcon27 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Auburn, Al Posts: 90	Best self defense ammunition? I have 2 small boxes of Speer Gold Dots. Any reviews on those? Also heard that Remington's Golden Sabers were good. __________________ "He who stays on the defensive does not make war, he endures it" "...Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle" Psalm 144:1 -->

06-15-2009, 12:28 PM	#2
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: Best self defense ammunition? The Speer Gold Dot design is considered one of the best out there, falcon. It's the duty round for many police departments whatever the caliber. I carry them in several of my CCW weapons, particularly my .38 snubbies. Their 135 grain Gold Dot +P was especially designed to function and expand properly out of a 2" barreled snubbie. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

06-17-2009, 08:16 PM	#9
bntyhntr6975 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wichita, Ks. Posts: 296	Re: Best self defense ammunition? My personal choices are the Hyda-shoks for my .45. (NOT in .40S&W in a Glock or XD!) For my 9mms I carry Black Talons and Ranger (XTPs?). Speer Gold Dots and Cor-Bons both gave very umimpressive results on the various tests I've done. Granted, no human targets have been used yet....

06-17-2009, 08:22 PM	#10
LurpyGeek Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UT Posts: 1,436	Re: Best self defense ammunition? Hydrashocks are a good design, but they are a bit outdated. The new version from Federal called the "HST" is a much better design. Look up some reviews. __________________ Knowing is half the battle... Of course, the other half is violence.

06-19-2009, 06:06 PM	#11
Mistahman Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 7	Re: Best self defense ammunition? HST's #1 Ranger Talons #2 The HST's are a modern Hydra-Shok & The Ranger Talons a modern Black Talon! I believe either will surfice! Just a matter of preference (which company u like).

06-23-2009, 01:18 PM	#12
dark_falcon27 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Auburn, Al Posts: 90	Re: Best self defense ammunition? A new round that has caught my eye is the Federal Premium Self Defense Round. Maybe ideal for those who live in apts. since it is known for energy transfer and not penetration. __________________ "He who stays on the defensive does not make war, he endures it" "...Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle" Psalm 144:1 Last edited by dark_falcon27; 07-04-2009 at 10:49 AM..

06-23-2009, 01:24 PM	#13
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,555	Re: Best self defense ammunition? Right now I'm loaded up with corbon +p's, but my first choice is Hornady's XTP HP's. I load them for hunting, and they are made to expand at most velocities from a hand gun. If they kill deer with one well placed shot, why not other critters? __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

07-04-2009, 10:14 AM	#14
bobkreeger Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Powell, Ohio Posts: 7	Re: Best self defense ammunition? Take a look at Buffalo Bore Ammo. There stuff is really awsome, I tried there .380, .357 & .41 mag in water and wet newspaper and was very impressed.

07-04-2009, 10:50 AM	#15
dark_falcon27 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Auburn, Al Posts: 90	Re: Best self defense ammunition? Found the link to the Gold Dot Test: http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs9.htm __________________ "He who stays on the defensive does not make war, he endures it" "...Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle" Psalm 144:1